Medical Care in the Victorian Era

by Lana Williams

The Victorian Era brought about many changes in medicine. In researching my latest release, Unraveling Secrets, I became quite interested in healthcare during this period, including apothecaries and the role they played. As amazing as it might seem, even by the end of the Victorian period, a person could see patients and prescribe treatments without formal qualifications. Yikes!

An ‘apothecary’ was the lowest ranking medical practioner. They served not only as a pharmacist, but could actually prescribe medicines as well as prepare and sell them. Apothecaries often served a 5 year apprenticeship which included a minimum of 6 months of hospital work before plying their trade. Next was a ‘surgeon’ who set broken bones, pulled teeth, treated wounds and skin diseases.

Apothecaries often served as both surgeon and apothecary, kind of a one-stop shop! Surgeons were considered skilled craftsmen as they needed to use physical strength to manipulate the body. Becoming a surgeon was easier and less expensive than becoming a physician. Surgeons served an apprenticeship (for 5 years), just like other craftsman. Many surgeons found that in order to earn enough money to make a living, they needed to dispense drugs as well.

The highest ranking medical practioner was the ‘physician’ who acquired a medical degree from a university. Their focus was on diagnosis of an ailment.. Their education required reading Greek and Latin theory, but no clinical experience. Physicians were ‘gentlemen’ and therefore their wives could be presented at court, but not so for apothecaries or surgeons as they performed manual labor. The best clinical training was at Edinburgh University in Scotland. Not until 1878 were women allowed to pursue medical degrees or other degrees at the University of London.

Young doctors were often advised that 90% of practicing medicine involved keeping patients comfortable while nature took its course. Medicinal practices intended to cure (by purging, bloodletting and prescribing dangerous drugs) often did more harm than good. Simple remedies, including cleanliness, proper nutrition and rest were often quite effective. Drugs used during this period did little to cure diseases. Even today, many drugs are prescribed to control symptoms rather than provide a cure, such as cough syrup or pain
pills. In the 1800’s, medical practioners used wine, opium narcotics and traditional herbal remedies to ease symptoms such as coughs, muscle cramps, nausea or to promote sleep. Laudanum, a liquid solution of opium in alcohol, was commonly used for everything from sleeping aids to painkillers to cough suppressants. Some found it even helped prevent loose bowels.

Doctors were normally only seen for serious problems. Most people used self-diagnosis or followed the advice of older women with experience, found information in almanacs, medical books or even magazine advice columns. Supposed cures ranged from electric shock to potions and pills with an ingredient list that would frighten you!

Until 1868, the sale of drugs was completely unrestricted. Despite the start of registration for those prescribing medicine, those who dispensed them had few controls. Many proprietary or “patent” medicines were heavily advertised and contained high amounts of alcohol. ‘J. Collis Browne’s Chlorodyne’ claimed to cure coughs, colds, colic, spasms, bowel pains, stomach aches, and sleeplessness. The ingredients included morphine, chloral hydrate and cannabis. LOL!

A change of air was often prescribed and probably was a helpful tip for lung problems caused by urban air. A few weeks by the sea, at a spa, or in the mountains also helped stress related problems. That sounds pretty familiar, don’t you think?

Here’s more about Unraveling Secrets, set in Victorian London, 1882:

When her father's murderer returns from the dead to threaten her family, Abigail Bradford attempts to warn him off, but soon learns chasing a ghost is no easy task.Stephen Nolton, Viscount Ashbury, stumbles upon Abigail in the dirty streets of London's East End. Able to read auras of good and evil after an electromagnetic experiment went terribly wrong, Stephen hovers on society's edge, keeping secret his unique skill and personal mission. Despite his fascination with the lady and her unique golden aura, he intends to keep his distance.

Desperate to protect her family, Abigail turns to the one man she believes can aid her. In Stephen's arms, she finds so much more than she hoped. Stephen tries to resist his desire for the independent beauty, afraid she'll unravel his secrets. But when he discovers the murderer is linked to his own past, he must decide how much he's willing to risk for love.

The next book in this series, Passionate Secrets, will be out soon!

Lana Williams writes historical romance filled with mystery, adventure, and a pinch of paranormal to stir things up. Her medieval romances begin with A Vow To Keep, the first in The Vengeance Trilogy, followed by Trust In Me and then Believe In Me.

Unraveling Secrets is her latest historical romance release and is set in Victorian London.

Filled with a love of books from an early age, Lana put pen to paper and decided happy endings were a must in any story she created. She writes in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two growing sons, and two dogs.

Connect with Lana:

Website: www.lanawilliams.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LanaWilliamsBooks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LanaWilliams28

Unraveling Secrets, a Victorian Romance, is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo.

Comment on Lana's post for a chance to win a copy of Unraveling Secrets!